Do Lutherans Pray for the Dead?

[JM]

Quote: "neither useless nor prohibited" Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV:94-96.

Do Lutherans Pray for the Dead?

This question of praying for the dead was posted on the General Theology forum. Our Confessions say that prayers for the dead are "neither useless nor prohibited" Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV:94-96. This is why I so admire the Lutheran faith. We leave open to individual...

www.christianforums.com

Quoted by Mark:

O holy and righteous God, it has pleased You to call from this life the departed lying here before us by temporal death. Let us learn from this death that we, too, must die and leave this world, in order that we may prepare for it in time by repentance, a living faith, and avoiding the sins and vanities of the world. Refresh the soul that has now departed with heavenly consolation and joy, and fulfill for it all the gracious promises which in Your holy Word You have made to those who believe in You. Grant to the body a soft and quiet rest in the earth till the Last Day, when You will reunite body and soul and lead them into glory, so that the entire person who served You here may be filled with heavenly joy there. Comfort all who are in grief over this death, and be and remain to the bereaved their Father, Provider, Guardian, Helper, and Support. Do not forsake them, and do not withdraw Your hand from them, but let them abundantly experience Your goodness, grace, love, and help, until You will grant them also a happy and blessed end. Hear us for Your mercy's sake. Amen. (Starck's Prayer Book Revised Concordia Edition, p. 345)

Yours in the Lord,

jm

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Quote: "neither useless nor prohibited" Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV:94-96.

Do Lutherans Pray for the Dead?

This question of praying for the dead was posted on the General Theology forum. Our Confessions say that prayers for the dead are "neither useless nor prohibited" Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV:94-96. This is why I so admire the Lutheran faith. We leave open to individual...

www.christianforums.com

Quoted by Mark:

O holy and righteous God, it has pleased You to call from this life the departed lying here before us by temporal death. Let us learn from this death that we, too, must die and leave this world, in order that we may prepare for it in time by repentance, a living faith, and avoiding the sins and vanities of the world. Refresh the soul that has now departed with heavenly consolation and joy, and fulfill for it all the gracious promises which in Your holy Word You have made to those who believe in You. Grant to the body a soft and quiet rest in the earth till the Last Day, when You will reunite body and soul and lead them into glory, so that the entire person who served You here may be filled with heavenly joy there. Comfort all who are in grief over this death, and be and remain to the bereaved their Father, Provider, Guardian, Helper, and Support. Do not forsake them, and do not withdraw Your hand from them, but let them abundantly experience Your goodness, grace, love, and help, until You will grant them also a happy and blessed end. Hear us for Your mercy's sake. Amen. (Starck's Prayer Book Revised Concordia Edition, p. 345)

Yours in the Lord,

jm

Wow, that thread was an oldie but a goodie!!

 

[Shane R]

Even LBW has a line or two that pretty much rips off the pertinent portion of the American BCP.
"We remember with thanksgiving those who have loved and served you in your Church on earth, who now rest from their labors. . ."

 

[RileyG]

What about this prayer?

"Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her/him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen"

I've heard it at a Lutheran funeral and it is in the Book of Common Prayer (1979). Apparently, Congregationalist, Presbyterians, and Methodists also pray it.

Is it a universal Protestant prayer for the dead?